Back in 1964, Ellen Lambrix started working in veterinary medicine for Dr. Ken Butcher at Hart Animal Clinic. She was only 13 at the time when her neighbor, who also worked for the doctor, thought she’d be a great fit and recommended her.
She visited the clinic before and after school to clean kennels, feed patients and walk dogs. Her neighbor, now mentor, trained Ellen up to follow in her footsteps until she could properly hold patients, administer medicine and assist on house calls. By her graduation from high school in 1970, she had transitioned to a full-time position with Dr. Butcher.
Several years later, in 1976, Michigan State University offered certification for a veterinary technician for the first time. By then, Ellen had been working with animals for 12 years and in a vet tech role before that career and certification were even available. Once there was board certification available, she was grandfathered into the MSU program and said she received her license easily, considering her experience. Just like veterinarians, certified vet techs receive continued education throughout their whole career, so Ellen said she evolved with the field.
And veterinary medicine has evolved. Since starting in 1964, the field has seen many changes. Back then, a rural veterinarian’s work was primarily farm visits. Ellen estimates 70% of patients were large animals, versus personal pets like cats and dogs. In fact, hardly anyone vaccinated their animals back then. Now, it’s a completely different story - many pet owners vaccinate their animals annually, and there’s hardly any large animal work to be had for a veterinarian.
The field was also, primarily, male-dominated. 60 years later, veterinary medicine is majority women, both as doctors and technicians. Technology has also expanded tremendously in the time Ellen has worked. Technology allows veterinarians to run tests that they would have otherwise had to outsource to human medicine hospitals.
Ellen worked with Dr. Butcher for over 30 years until the practice was sold to husband-and-wife veterinarians Drs. Troy and Sue Marshall in 1995. Ellen transitioned with the practice and helped the new doctors introduce themselves to the community while also providing a familiar face for Butcher’s clients as they entrusted their pets to the Marshalls. Ellen was an integral part of Dr. Troy and Sue’s practice for 27 years until they sold the practice to current owner Dr. Julia Hasenbank. Just as for the previous owners, Ellen stayed with the practice through its third transition, helping Dr. Hasenbank just as she did for the Marshalls.
Now, after three years with Dr. Hasenbank and over 60 years of veterinary medicine altogether, Lambrix has decided to retire. She said she began “slowing down” six years ago, transitioning to part-time, but decided late last year it was finally time to retire fully. She admits it will be hard leaving, especially since her work has kept her going through personal tragedy. “I don’t know what I would have done without this job. When I lost (my son) Kurt and Covid and then losing (my husband) Arnie, it was so hard. This job has kept me focused and grounded.”
She will undoubtedly be missed by Hart Animal Clinic’s clients, being a part of the community for so long. She said it was very rewarding to get to know the local families and their pets through the generations. She added that it was, likewise, personally satisfying to see herself grow in the field and improve her skills over 60 years. Ellen, herself, mentored her niece, who now works at Hart Animal Clinic as the primary vet tech. Satisfaction is a good feeling to have upon retirement.
When asked what was next, Ellen was excited to share. “I’m going to have some ‘me time.’ And I’m going to find some new adventure; I don’t know what yet. I’m probably going to do a little traveling, spending time with grandkids… I might be able to sit and have two cups of coffee.”
The community that has meant so much to Ellen is invited to celebrate her retirement and wish her the best as she closes perhaps the longest chapter of her life. The party will be held at the Oceana Eagles on Oceana Drive, on Sunday, June 29, from 2-4 p.m.
Author's note: I know, personally, how important Ellen’s time as a vet tech was to Hart Animal Clinic. My parents were new to the area when they bought the practice from Dr. Butcher and fresh out of vet school at MSU, younger than I am now. The transition would not have been nearly as easy had Ellen not been there to help the process. For myself, Ellen was just as important to me growing up as my own grandparents, watching out for me and my sister as we went from annoying children getting in the way of work to the adults we are now. I couldn’t imagine my childhood without her, just as hard as it would be to imagine Hart Animal Clinic without her years of dedicated, personable service. Thank you Ellen, and best wishes on your retirement!
